Implementation

On 11 September 2014, the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Classification Tools and Other Measures) Act 2014 (Cth) was enacted.

In line with ALRC recommendations, the Act amended the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cth) to:

• broaden the scope of existing exempt film categories and streamline exemption arrangements for festivals and cultural institutions (see Recommendation 6–3);
• enable certain content to be classified using classification tools (such as online questionnaires that deliver automated decisions) (see Recommendation 7–8);
• create an explicit requirement in the Act to display classification markings on all classified content (see Recommendation 8–1);
• expand the exceptions to the modifications rule so that films and computer games which are subject to certain types of modifications do not require classification again (see Recommendation 8–2); and
• enable the Attorney-General’s Department to notify law enforcement authorities of potential Refused Classification content without having the content classified first, to help expedite the removal of extremely offensive or illegal content from distribution (see Recommendation 12–3).